Providing Help for Traumatized Children in the Classroom

Wednesday, October 31 - When trauma enters a child’s home life, it can affect their classroom behavior, their mental health and make the child unstable.  Donna Kitrick from Waterloo Community Schools shared their program for making a positive impact on children’s lives to help them travel the road back to normalcy.  Donna explained the many warning signals displayed by kids in trouble. She explained that they either fight, flee, or freeze.  Many kids have a deep feeling of powerlessness.  

Mrs. Kitrick explained that she studies the history of the child at risk to scrutinize if they ever displayed trauma before or if their siblings had a history of such experiences.  Donna explained the ACE Study that explained that these traits all must be addressed or when the child matures, they tend to abuse others later in life.  Mood regulation and collaborated care can help form positive relationships with adults.

Thank you for sharing with us, Donna Kitrick.  We are appreciative of how you are improving the lives of many children.   Written by Lynn Barnes and Leigh Zeitz